16800 Sub - strange "S"

[sappie66]

Is this strange "S" on "SUBMARINER" strange? I haven't see this backwards Z before. This is from a 1986 16800. I have seen other examples of this watch, from the same year, and it had a regular "S".

Anyone else come across this before? Is this peculiar to this year? I don't think it is a fake.

Thanks

[Zirotti]

Interesting

[mdesa]

My 2006 14060M has the same "S"...I wondered about it, too, but I have seen other photos of Subs with the same "S". I'd love to know the reason, though.

[padi56]

Over the many years and upon millions upon millions of dials produced in those years there has been many many slightly different font/colour,font spacing etc..But since the Internet and now many use high power lupes to check on the tiniest detail and report to many forums now on the net.Has these slight dial difference been notice by more of a WIS type than most other Rolex watch wearers today.Just like the so called mistake or stick dial GMTs the Internet proclaimed these watches to be of extra value.Some bought at high prices and got burned it was just a simple font change like the many over the years the Internet is a wonderful place for Rolex hype.

[azguy]

It's nicely patina'd, enjoy

[SaddleSC]

It is a dial variation known as a Flat S dial and I have one on my L Series 16613 circa early 90's...

[Beaumont Miller II]

Thanks for sharing. I did not know that. It looks like the "S" for the Mark IV Maxi dial.
I enjoy learning these little nuances.

[John in MA]

Originally Posted by sappie66

Attachment 270429

Is this strange "S" on "SUBMARINER" strange? I haven't see this backwards Z before. This is from a 1986 16800. I have seen other examples of this watch, from the same year, and it had a regular "S".

Anyone else come across this before? Is this peculiar to this year? I don't think it is a fake.

Thanks

This S font is also found on snowflake subs from the early 80's and 76100's.